Wandlore

[The New Ages]

"A Wand is a quasi-sentient magical instrument through which a witch or wizard channels his or her magical powers. Most spells are done with the aid of wands, but it is possible to do spells without the use of wands. Wandless magic is, however, very difficult and requires much concentration and incredible skill; only truly advanced wizards are been known to perform such magic

In addition, magic with a wand is mostly performed with an incantation, but Nonverbal spells are also possible for more experienced wizards and can be a great deal more helpful in dueling, as the opponent has no way of knowing what spell you are going to cast and thus might not be able to adequately protect him or herself in time. Wands are referred to as "quasi-sentient" because they are as close to animate as an inanimate object can get. This is because they are imbued with a great deal of magic.

Each wand is made of a specific type of wood with a magical substance making up the core. Although the wand cores may come from the same creature, or the wood may come from the same tree, no two existing wands are exactly alike. The study of the history and the magical properties of wands is called Wandlore.

Wandlore is an ancient, complex, and mysterious branch of magic dealing with the history, abilities, and actions of wands, quasi-sentient magical tools used by wizards and witches to cast spells. This particular branch of magic is carefully studied by wandmakers..."
-HP Wiki


"The wand chooses the wizard. That much has always been clear to those of us who have studied wandlore...if you are any wizard at all you will be able to channel your magic through almost any instrument. The best results, however, must always come where there is the strongest affinity between wizard and wand. These connections are complex. An initial attraction, and then a mutual quest for experience, the wand learning from the wizard, the wizard from the wand."
-Mr. Garrick Ollivander

Most general information was taken from HP Wiki. Wandwood attributes taken from the following sites: Magical Wood Properties by DragonOak, The Wonder of Woods-Magical Trees by Grandpa's General Store, Magickal Uses of Herbs, and Book of Shadows. Wand Core attributes were taken from HP-Lexicon and quoted sections are from Pottermore

[The New Ages]

What is Wandlore?
Wandlore is the study of wands and all of their components. Only the most talented are able to become wandmakers who must learn wand woods, creature or plant cores, and the magic that binds it all together in order to enhance a witch or wizard's magic. The combination of all three elements together create powerful wands, and each witch and wizard are presented with a wand on or after their eleventh birthday.

While some wandmakers prefer to create wands that are particular to each witch and wizard after a thorough knowledgeable session in which they study the person, others prefer to create wands with potential and let the wand choose the witch or wizard when they come calling.

Where Do Wandwoods and Cores Come From?
All over the world.

Almost every magical tree is guarded by Bowtruckles, the tree-guardians. In order to obtain pieces of wandwood a witch or wizard must bring offerings or the Bowtruckles may attack. The trees that Bowtruckles guard are of the most quality for wandwood, and therefore the most desired for creating wands.

Wand cores come from all types of Magical Creatures and Magical Plants, though many Wandmakers only specialize in particular cores. Almost any Creature and Plant has the ability to contribute to wand creations, though only particular parts of creatures are used for the cores.

No two wands are ever exactly alike, as the wandwood and creature or plant core come from different donors. While creatures and plants may have more than one core out in the world, it will never be matched with the same exact wandwood as another wand in existence.

How Does One Become a Wandmaker?
Through Magical Education and Apprenticeship, of course.

A witch or wizard with interest in becoming a wandmaker should score high in the following O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s: Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Charms. Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, and Defensive Magic are also highly prized scores in this particular area of employment. After education, it is best for a young witch or wizard to apprentice under a Master Wandmaker in which they will attend Wandlore Lessons all over the world, travel to meet other Master Wandmakers and Apprentice Wandmakers, and learn about foreign wandwoods, and creature and plant cores.

Why are Skilled Wandmakers so Difficult to Come By?
Because there truly is not much known about wands. Yes, we've accomplished the practice of creating, combining, and matching, but not even the most skilled Wandmaker knows everything there is to know about Wandlore. Many Wandmakers are also secretive of their creations and what they've learned, not wanting to harvest the information they've gathered as it is what keeps their customers doing business with them.

These secrets cause Wandmakers difficulty in learning what there is to know. Certain wandwoods react certain ways with particular cores, against each other, and with a wandsman. It is not known the reason behind the reactions, but then, in a magical world there is little to surprise the most wise.

Who Do Wands Work For?
Witches and Wizards only.

However, a witch or wizard cannot merely pick up a wand that is not their own and expect it to work properly. Chances are the wand will emit faint casts of magic, but will not properly work for anyone except its true owner; this is the reason why hand-me-down wands are often replaced.

When Does a Witch or Wizard Obtain their Wand?
On or after their eleventh birthday is the most common answer. If magic is not taught to witches and wizards shortly following their eleventh birthday, they begin to lose their abilities for magical tendencies. A wand helps to magnify their ability, and is a tool to their practices.

Some witches and wizards will obtain a wand when older if their first, previous wand, has been broken and is irreparable. Wands cannot typically be repaired by another wand, though there are rumors that some wands can lend their magic to repair what has been broken. If this is the case, the witch or wizard will simply go to a wandmaker and request a new wand.

Others may not fully connect with their first wand, such as a hand-me-down wand from another family member, and therefore require a new one.

In other cases, a wand belongs to a witch or wizard if they win a duel against another. Once a witch or wizard lose a duel with another, their wand becomes property of the duel winner, though may fight their new owner because of allegiance with the old owner.

Some wands also wilt, which means to expel all the magic within it, and causes wandsman to look for a new wand.

Often, wands also reflect their owner's characteristics. The length of a wand can be measured in terms of the size of the owner, the rigidity can explain the willingness and ability of the owner to change, and the core and wandwood may reflect shared characteristics of the plant, creature, tree, and owner.

[The New Ages]

Popular Wandwoods and their Magical Attributes
This is not a complete list of wandwoods

Acacia- A tree that offers protection when created into a wand. This particular wandwood will also aid in the use of defensive spells in order to protect its master.

Alder- This tree offers personality attributes to its owner, such as that of charisma, self-confidence, and bravery. It also inspires travel for its owner, unwilling to be stuck in just one place. Owners of this particular type of wand may go on to be poets, novelists, politicians, and travel enthusiasts.

Apple- This tree is one of affluence of the heart. Owners of a wand made of this type of tree will often find magic success in love, peace, harmony, and choice. Masters of these types of wands can often be found to be horticulturists, working with children, or in an industry that does not promote any type of harm.

Ash- Those with this type of wand will often be found successful for their mind. The tree offers promotion of brain power, communication, intelligence, wisdom, curiosity, health, and balance. Owners of this kind of wand are often found in small businesses, large scale corporations, foundation builders, or in professional careers as professors.

Aspen- This tree offers eloquence to its wandsman. Those who use this type of wand are often in careers as politicians, speech writers, article authors, or other persuasive and thrilling speaker positions.

Beech- Those in possession of a wand made from this type of tree will find an abundance of talent in the following: divination, healing, balance, desire, victory, guidance. Often times, their career paths lead them to become Healers, Mentors, and Therapists.

Birch- This tree is often associated with rebirth and renewal. Those who own a wand made of this type of tree will be calm and bringer of new beginnings with their magic. Often times, owners find their wands lead them to careers dealing with astronomical magic.

Blackthorn- This tree is extremely well known for being a bringer of fate, and those with a wand from this particular tree will often have their faith tested. Their owners often go off into inspiring career paths, leading and forging the way for those who are less head-strong.

Cedar- This tree is often planted in the backyard to help cleanse the air and protect the inhabitants of the land. Those who become the lucky owners of this type of wand will show great preservation. Career paths often range from a protector (such as an Auror or Hit-Wizard) to a self-proclaimed clairvoyant.

Cherry- Not only is this a beautiful smelling wood, but has many attributes often associated with the owner of such a wand. Those with a cherry wand are often centered, grounded, solid, stable, and show great insight. Most often, owners of this kind of wand go on to work with Creatures or the Earth.

Chestnut- The tree and wand bring a warmth and loving feeling to its owner. Magic that is often streamlined with this kind of wood is that of Transfiguration and Charms.

Cypress- This particular tree is associated with the after-life and health. It has been known to create longevity and comfort for an owner of this kind of wand. Those who own a Cypress wand often go into careers as Healers as they are most able to calm the mind, ease grief, bring healing, and protect others.

Dogwood- This kind of tree offers durability. The owner of this kind of wand is often said to be loving, protective, and happy. The most common kind of career path is that of working with children for owners of this kind of wand.

Ebony- The owner of this kind of wand will find they have an increased ability in protection and an enhanced power of strength. Those with this kind of wand often find jobs in protective positions or as strong leaders.

Elder- Wands made from this particular kind of tree are often associated with that of The Elder Wand, the reason there are so few elder wands, but it is not the case that they all hold the same power is that of The Elder Wand. An elder wand often provides protection for its owner, is of a great source of help in banishment spells, and calls change for those who wield them.

Elm- This tree, although quite common, offers strengths within. Those with this kind of wand will find endurance, rebirth, grounding, focus, and stability within. Often times, their owners will find employment in the horticulture field.

Hawthorn- This tree brings patience to those who breathe in its scent and their wand owners will find creativity and pureness as qualities that often describe themselves. Charm work is often used with this kind of wand as its lightness help with casting spells.

Hazel- This tree is associated with the bringing of change. Owners of this kind of wand are often found to be artistic, optimistic, inspiring, and have tendencies of wrath. Those with this kind of wand are usually found in media-associated careers as actors, musicians, artists, models, and world leaders.

Holly- This protective tree provides strength in its wands. A wand owner of this kind of wood will be pure and logical in all areas of life. Their specialties in casting spells have to do with sleep, rest, and easing of death. Often those with this kind of wand go on to become Healers and Potioneers.

Ivy- This tree has an array of meanings and often the owners of this kind of wandwood reflect well its qualities. With a devote sense of determination, strength, optimism, consistency, and love the owners of these wands show much growth throughout their lives. Their owners often go on to work with creation of drinks and potions.

Laurel- A wand made of laurel will often lend clairvoyance, wisdom and purification to Seers. It is quite often favored by those with pure magical bloodlines of whom Seeing runs. It helps with Defensive Magic and lends strength to the owner.

Maple- Another of the most common type of trees, this wandwood brings success to its owners. It helps with protective magic of the mind, offers abundance with outcomes, and their owners often travel the world in search of knowledge.

Oak- This wood of sacrifice offers much when formed into a wand. The owners of this kind of wandwood will find their magic grounded and centered. Within themselves, they will see the wood attributes truth, longevity, triumph, prosperity, stamina, and knowledge. Their owners have no particular set career path, but flourish where their personalities can extend into their work.

Pine- A tree of this type often alleviates guilt, its biggest association for the holiday seasons. However, owners of this kind of wand will find strength and rejuvenation within their spell casting. Their most common career paths lead them toward protection and healing, and standing up for those who are unable to otherwise be heard.

Poplar- This all-purpose tree lends hope to its wielder. With the ability to enhance shielding spells, it is no wonder their wand owners often work in political positions, with their agility in speech and languages.

Rowan- This tree has long since been associated with protection. Those with a wand made of this kind of wood will have success with healing spells, be able to lift enchantments more easily than the average, and have great success in divination.

Silver Lime - "An incredibly unusual and attractive wood that works best for Seers and those skilled at Legilimency. It was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century when the demand outstripped supply, causing some wandmakers to dye other wood in effort to fool purchasers into believing they had purchased a silver lime wand."

Vine- Those with this type of tree wand will often be perky and joyful. The tree itself is associated with rebirth, but the wands often bring authoritative connotations to its wielders. Those with this wand often choose a path in life that will be exciting and happy, but only as long as they can work up the ladder into a leadership role.

Walnut- This tree is often associated with the weather, and having the ability to bring what is needed to the soil it is planted in. The owner of this kind of wand will find success with magical traveling and motivational speaking. Expect to find more than one person in the Magical Transportation Department with this kind of wand.

Willow- The willow, a protector against unruly change, lends its healing ability to owners of this type of wand. It reflects the cycle of life, causing many to be in a child birthing career, gives willpower and aligns belief. Others with this type of wand will often work in astronomical magic career paths.

Yew- This type of wand is extremely rare as Wandmakers often refuse to dabble with this destructive wandwood. Those who are lucky enough to come across this kind of wand will find their magic fully enhanced in all areas.

[The New Ages]

Popular Wand Cores and their Magical Attributes
This is not a complete list of wand cores

Augury Tail Feather- Those with this wand core are likely to be mournful in their magic, but are excellent with repelling other spells in defensive magic.

Billywig Stinger- Often times, those with this core show signs of giddiness and of being gullible. Their strengths lie in levitation spells.

Chimaera Heartstring- These difficult creatures provide cores that are often vicious in wandwork, but excellent for transfiguration spells. Owners of these types of cores often succeed in darker magic.

Demiguise Heartstring- Cores made of this particular creature bring peaceful magic to their owners. Owners of this type of wand core will be successful with invisibility spells.

Dittany Stalk- While many think only of cores made of creatures, they can also be made from plants as well. This particular core is a great aide in healing spells.

Dragon Heartstring- While the exact strengths vary with the type of dragon, most show an aptitude for bravery and boldness.

"As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.

The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of ... cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental."

Erumpent Heartstring- Harvested quite often during mating season, cores of these creatures will reflect that of their owners personalities: bravery, hardheadedness, and hot-tempers. Often times impatience is a factor for those with this kind of wand and they rarely see results without hard work.

Fwooper Feather - This core will teach their owner that patience is gratifying. Often times, their owners will end up in careers where a show of great patience is required.

Griffin Heartstring- Cores made of this creature often reflect strength in the owner. They make great wands for defensive spells and are difficult to beat during duels if their owner shows pure truth of heart while battling.

Hippocampus Heartstring- This creature of the water often reflects attributes that shine through their owners through wit and wisdom. Those with this type of core are often successful in water-based magic.

Hippogriff Heartstring- These cores bring great strength to cast spells. The owners of these wand cores are often wise and agile, lending them the ability to learn easily.

Kelpie Tail Hair- Although these cores are rare, those who do obtain a wand with this type of core are often amusing to themselves and others around them. They find peace in comedy and enjoy showing off.

Kneazle Whiskers- Those with this particular core are often thought to be keen of mind and loyal. Many wizards call this a "lesser-core" but do not realize the great strength and sureness most of their owners have.

Phoenix Tail Feather- The symbolization of this bird is that of rebirth and the circle of life, and for that is extremely rare. For those lucky enough to obtain a wand with this core, they will find themselves donned with bravery, strength, and hope. Defensive spells are worked best with this kind of core.

"This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.

Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalize, and their allegiance is usually hard won."

Porlock Heartstring- This rare core lends to its owner the ability to guard and protect those around them. With a deepened sense of mother-like qualities, they often watch out for their friends and family with a sense of loyalty and faith unlike most others.

Runespoor Heartstring- An interesting core that is difficult to find brings the best of three qualities out in its owner. The owners of these types of wands are often the planners of their friends, dreamers with their heads high in the clouds, and critical of everything they know and feel.

Sphinx Heartstring- Another rare core, the owners of these are often highly intelligent. Their spell casting is amplified in defensive spells, but because of their curious minds and quizzical natures, they often miss their targets.

Thestral Tail Hair- There are so few wands in the world with this particular type of core that it is difficult to judge what an owner of this wand core is like. It is said they are often dispassionate, misunderstood, powerful, and tricky, but proof of this is almost non-existent.

Unicorn Tail Hair- Those with this core are often pure of heart. They may be described as dreamers as they have high hopes and believe in change for the better. However, they are also rare finds in friends and have the qualities that draw you to them. Often times they also show vulnerability in their magic.

"Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.

Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing."

Veela Hair- Many wandmakers prefer not to work with this creature as a core, but a few will. Because Veelas are such desirable creatures, sensual and bring forth lust in men around them, usually only women wandmakers are even able to work with the cores. Often times, the wands are described as being temperamental, which reflects in that of the wandsman.

Winged Horse Tail Hair- Another core whose exact strengths are particular to the breed, owners often show affinities for being strong, healthy, and revered.

[The New Ages]

Relevance of Wand Length and Flexibility

The most common way the length of a wand is matched up to that of a witch or wizard is by the size of the proprietor. Many believe the taller a man, the longer his wand should be, or the shorter a person stands, the shorter their wand should be. However, this is thought a more medieval way of matching a wand and its owner by some.

A few Wandmakers choose to listen to the wands more carefully and be more selective on who gets what. Of those who believe this way, many favor the belief that the personality of a person should match the size of the wand, and of the magic that will be cast from it. Shorter wands are often thought to lend ideas that a person is missing something within their personality.

The average sizes of wands sold are between nine and fourteen inches, though Wandmakers create shorter and longer wands for the rare occasion they are required.

The flexibility of a wand often aligns with a persons ability to change. A more flexible wand denotes that a person is more able and willing to change, where as a more rigid wand denotes that a person is less willing to change. However, this is not always necessarily true, as the springiness and the sturdiness of a wand can also denote the type of magic that can be best performed with the wand.